TORONTO (AP) — George Springer's pure swing produced some impressive power for the Houston Astros.
Springer homered and drove in four runs as Houston beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-4 Friday night, the Astros' 10th win in 12 games following a five-game losing streak.
Springer's 29th homer was a three-run drive in the fifth inning, a 463-foot shot off the third deck.
"George can hit some pretty long homers, he can hit some timely homers," manager AJ Hinch said. "That was a perfect one."
Springer said he didn't feel anything after connecting on a high fastball from former Astros farmhand Trent Thornton.
"It's kind of one of the purest things, I think, in this game," Springer said. "I just kind of heard it and I saw the flight of the ball and just put my head down."
Springer has reached safely in 21 straight games and is batting .308 (28 for 91) with four homers and 15 RBI in that span.
Every Astros starter had at least one hit as Houston finished with 13 hits against five pitchers.
Cavan Biggio, Reese McGuire and Derek Fisher hit solo home runs, but the Blue Jays lost for the ninth time in 11 games.
Toronto rookie Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was ejected by plate umpire Mike Estabrook for arguing balls and strikes in the seventh. After swinging and missing at strike three, Guerrero gestured at Estabrook and said something as he walked back toward the dugout, prompting the first ejection of his career.
"The umpires were already on edge because we disagreed with many of the calls tonight," Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said.
Astros left-hander Wade Miley was unable to extend his career-best streak of seven consecutive winning decisions, allowing one run and two hits in 3 2/3 innings. Miley struck out five and matched a season-high with five walks.
"Very rare for him to have that kind of command issues," Hinch said. "When they rolled the lineup over a third time, it was time to take him out."
Collin McHugh (4-5) got one out, striking out Biggio to strand runners at second and third in the fourth.
McHugh didn't return in the fifth after throwing 14 pitches to two Toronto batters.
"It didn't look like he had much life on his pitches," Hinch said. "That's why I took him out."
Hinch said he would speak to McHugh and provide an update Saturday on the right-hander's status.
Thornton (4-9) is winless in five starts since an Aug. 1 victory at Baltimore. He allowed four runs, three earned, and six hits in five innings.
Toronto opened the scoring in the second when Miley walked the bases loaded and catcher Robinson Chirinos was called for interference against McGuire.
Houston answered in the fifth. Yuli Gurriel reached on an error by Guerrero at third base, Chirinos hit a one-out double and Josh Reddick tied it with an RBI single, setting up Springer.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Astros: Manager AJ Hinch said RHP Aaron Sanchez (right pectoral) remains in a rest period and will not throw for the next seven to 10 days. ... Hinch said RHP Josh James (right shoulder) will join the team in Toronto on Saturday and is expected to be activated off the injured list when rosters expand Sunday.
Blue Jays: RHP Ryan Tepera (right elbow) rejoined the team Friday and is expected to be activated off the injured list when rosters expand Sunday. ... With Hurricane Dorian headed toward Florida, OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (left quadriceps) has left Toronto's spring training facility in Dunedin and rejoined the team. Manager Charlie Montoyo said Gurriel could be activated by Sept. 5. He's been out since Aug. 9.
DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE
Toronto rookie Bo Bichette went 1 for 5 with a double, his 15th in 29 games. Only former Yankees legend Joe DiMaggio (16 doubles in his first 29 games in 1936) has more.
HIT PARADE
Houston's Michael Brantley went 2 for 5, his 53 multi-hit game. Only New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMaheiu (54) had more entering play Friday.
SPACE OUT
On Star Wars night, retired Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield threw out the first pitch.
UP NEXT
Astros: LHP Framber Valdez (4-6, 5.14) beat the Angels on Aug. 25 to snap a streak of four consecutive losing decisions. It was his first victory since June 15, when he allowed two runs in six innings against the Blue Jays.
Blue Jays: RHP Clay Buchholz (0-3, 5.87) makes his second start since returning from the injured list last Sunday. He's 3-1 in six career games against the Astros but hasn't faced them since 2016.
